Seoul Searching: Gyeongbokgung Palace and Dongdaemun Design Plaza

This was supposed to be a palace-hopping day. But Gyeongbokgung Palace is huge. Well, this is the largest palace in Korea. The integrated palace ticket is worth 10,000 won to visit the Changdeokgung Palace, Changyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Geongbokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. We opted to visit only the Gyeongbokgung Palace and paid 3,000 won/pax for our entrance fee.

The admirable thing about old edifice would be the details. I always find time to admire and pay attention to the details. Magnificent details, all the time.

We were not allowed to go inside, but at least we were able to take a peek. These were what we found inside. Remember that these were the living and sleeping quarters of the royalties.

We found the Gangnyeongjeon's Hall, but we were not allowed to step in. This is the king's living quarter.

We visited a lot of areas in the palace which I can't identify anymore. :P But few photos here to let you see what I've seen, alright?

We tried to find the Secret Garden but were unable to see it. We ended up in the Hwangwonjeong Pavilion and Hwangwonji Pond. The pavilion is located at the palace's back garden, and means Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance.

We were already tired by this time with all the walking we did, so we decided to leave but not after seeing the janggos, the jars. :P

On our way out, we saw the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. This was built in the pond, and used by the king to threw feasts for foreign officials mostly.

Of course, we couldn't leave without a single photo with the palace guards. Hihi.

I always find palaces, temples and museums interesting. But I also find them the hardest to blog, because I have to remember a lot of details. We were unable to explore any other palace aside from this one, but when I go back this year, will find time to explore more of them.

If it was a blast in the past tour in the morning, we went back to the present (but they do have traditional stuff) at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. I was actually expecting a different thing e.g. art stuff but we found Pikachu instead, oh and some other stuff they sell.

Not bad, but I kinda regretted not exploring other palaces. But next time, okay?